Sambabook

— Although things have been quiet at MúsicaBrasileira.org, we continue listening to some of the best Brazilian music releases we can get our hands on continuously. As always, we find some lemons along the way and make caipirinhas with those. Nothing goes to waste. That is why at times we remain silent for one reason or another. As you know, we review and feature here in our pages only albums that we like.

With Carnaval 2021 canceled, here is your recipe for your own private Carnaval: the Sambabook collection. Celebrating the rich legacy for Brazilian music and culture, these samba releases are available in audio, video, TV specials, YouTube, discographies and biographies, sheet music, apps and more. In the physical CD format, the albums generally come in two volumes. If you stream the albums online, you are talking about 26 songs per composer, on average.

To date (2021), there have been five editions of the Sambabook. These have been the featured composers:

• João Nogueira (2012)
• Martinho da Vila (2013)
• Zeca Pagodinho (2014)
• Dona Ivone Lara (2015)
• Jorge Aragão (2016)

The albums are produced with performances of some of the best singers in Brazilian music. You can literally find performers from Alcione to Zeca Pagodinho. I have been listening to these albums for a couple of weeks now. You will not get tired of the music and performances. With so many great sambas for your listening pleasure, it is hard to pick the best tracks. In the Sambabook João Nogueira, my favorite tracks are those interpreted by Nogueira’s own son, the great samba singer Diogo Nogueira. His voice is so similar to his father’s that you will think you’re listening to João Nogueira himself at times. “Espelho” and “João e José” (in a duet with Martinho da Vila) are simply gorgeous. In Sambabook Martinho da Vila, I tip my hat off to João Donato‘s “Meu Laiá-Raiá” and Ney Matogrosso‘s “Ex-Amor.” For Sambabook Zeca Pagodinho, what a joy it is to hear Roberta Sá singing “Mutirão de Amor” and Maria Rita with “Alto Lá.” Sambabook Dona Ivone Lara opens with the classic “Sonho Meu,” sung by Maria Bethânia, and it also includes Caetano Veloso‘s “Alguém Me Avisou.” In the latest release, Sambabook Jorge Aragão, one just will not be able to resist Baby do Brasil‘s rendition of “Malandro” and Anitta’s “Coisinha do Pai.”

I could go on and on highlighting some tracks, but you can find out for yourself by visiting the YouTube channel for these releases. There are several videos there for your enjoyment. You can find all Sambabook releases in stores and also get them from your favorite streaming source. Happy Carnaval!